



'^^=^<y^ 





CZs^^T H E>Ei.:> 



Fight in the 



Beechwoods 



A STUDY 



-IN- 



<^l\fll\b\fifl jWSJO^Y 



BY- 



ERNEST GRUIKSHANK, 

Authop of "The Battle of Lundy's Lane," "The Stopy of Butlep's 

Rangeps," Etc. 



SECOND EDITION==EnIarged. 

Published by the ^undy's Lane Histopical Society. 
PRICE, 25 Cents. 



WELLAND : 

W. T. Sawlb & Co., Prixtess, Telegxaph Office. 

189S. 



f>. 
Publ. 




J\)(^ Battl<? of t\)<^ Beeel7uyood5. 




>ANY circumstances connected with the engage- 
ment commonly known as the Battle of 
the Beech woods, or Beaver Dams, combine to 
make it one of the most interesting episodes of 
recent Canadian military history. It is indis- 
solubly linked with the memory of one of the 
most patriotic and courageous women of any age 
or country. As a rule, too, it has been merely 
regarded as a rather notable instance of a success- 
ful ambush accomplished by a very inferior force, and its important 
influence upon the subsequent conduct of the war has been over- 
looked. 

Tlie campaign of 1812 had resulted in the signal discomfiture 
of all attempts at the invasion of Canada. During the succeeding 
winter the Government of the United States devoted itself with 
great energy to the task of organizing three fresh and powerful 
armies, with the intention of renewing the effort in as many 
different quarters as soon as military operations became practicable 
in the spring. A force of several thousand men was already estab- 
lished on the shores of Lake Champlain, within fifty miles of 
Montreal. The principal object to be attained for the time being, 
by this corps, usually termed the Army of the North, was simply to 
deter the Governor-General from reinforcing his posts in Upper 
Canada by threatening an invasion in the Lower Province, and in 
this it was to a very great extent successful. Another division, 
designed to number ten thousand men, under Major-General 
Wm. Henry Harrison, afterwards President of the United States, 
was being concentrated in an entrenched camp near the mouth of 
the river Maumee on Lake Erie, with instructions to recover 



Detroit and enU>r Canada from that direction. This force was 
Ihenlield in check by Colonel Henry Proctor with less than 500 men of 
the 4Ist re>rlment, a few companies of militia from the counties of 
E.«vsex and Kent, and an uncertain and variable number of Indians. 
The third division, ottlcially styled the Armif of the Centre, was 
composed of tr(x)ps assembled partly at Sackett's Harbor and 
Oswego on Lake Ontario, and partly at various posts upon the 
Nia^rara River under the general command of Major-General 
Henry Dearlxirn, a veteran of the Revolution. As far as possible it 
was desinned to act in conjunction with their squadron which had 
obtained temporary rx)ntrol of Lake Ontario. As soon as navigation 
opened, a strong brigade from Sackett's Harbor made a descent upon 
York" (Toronto), then almost unfortiJied and ungarrisoned, in the 
hope of paralyzing the Hritish naval power on the lake by the 
destruction of two vessels that fiad wintered there and another in 
course of construction. By weight of overwhelming numbers they 
soon obtained pos.session of the place, but only partially ac<X)mplished 
their purpose as the largest of the two vessels already afloat had 
sailed a few days before. 

Another month was occupied in concentrating the entire division 
on the Niagara and making elaborate preparations for transporting it 
into Canada. The force thus assembled between Buffalo and Fort 
Niagara numbered about eight thousand men, all regulars or long 
service volunteers, while that opposed to them, under Colonel John 
Vincent, was considerably less than one quarter of that number, in- 
cluding militia and Indians. 

The artillery tire from Fort Ni;igara and the adjacent batteries 
beat down the defences on the Hritish side of the river, and on the 
Tiih May. almost five thousand men were disemlnirked from a large 
flotilla of lx)ats a couple of miles west of the village of Niagara, 
while a British i)rigade of less than (W) men, that attempted to resist 
their landing, was almost exterminated by tiie l)roadsides of eleven 
ships of war, anciiored withitj tliree liundred yards of the shore. 
Nearly at the same time another brigade of troops began to cross the 
river alK)ve Fort deorge, with the evident purpose of cutting off the 
retreat of the garrison. Perceiving that further resistance was useless, 
Vina-nt retired adntitly to Qucenstori, and thence, after destroying 
the batteries there, to the Beaver Damson tlie Twelve Mile Creek, by 
the mountain road. .\t that place lie was joined during the night by 
detachments f mm Cliipi)awa, Fort Erie and Point Al)ino, and con- 
tinued his retreat next morning towards Burlington Bay, where he 
determined to njake another stand, abandoning the entire Niagara 
I'(;nlnsula to the enemy. Tlic greater jiirt of the militia was dis- 
banded, and the hidlans of the Six Nations witlidrew to their villages 
on the Grand River, where many of them remained quiet through 
fear of losing their lands. On the 2nd of Juue.Viuccnt encamped 



at Bazeley's on the high ground overlooking Burlington Bay. He had 
been joined by two companies of the 8lh, and his whole division then 
mustered 1,807 of all ranks and arms, of whom only one hundred 
were militia. His men were in good health and spirits and so far 
from being discouraged by their recent reverses, they eagerly de- 
manded to be led against the enemy. Three days later, two brigades 
of infantry and a regiment of dragoons made their appearance in pur- 
suit, and encamped for tlie night at Stoney Creek, ceven miles 
distant./ 

In the course of the afternoon their position was carefully recon- 
noitred by Colonel John Harvey, Vincent's chief of staff, and militia- 
men in plain clothes, acting under his instructions, passed through 
every part of their lines, under the pretence of selling supplies. It 
was ascertained that their encampment was scattered and badly 
arranged for defence, while their pickets and sentries were negligent 
in the performance of their duties. The strength of the pursuers 
was roughly estimated at 3,500 infantry and 250 cavalry, with at least 
eight field-guns. Shortly after midnight Vincent with 700 picked 
men of the 8th and 49th regiments, rushed the camp, slaughtered 
the unwary sentinels at their posts, dispersed the bewildered 
battalions as they attempted to form by repeated bayonet charges, 
and at day-break retired to his former position, carrying with him 
two captured field-guns, both the American Generals and upwards 
of a hundred other prisoners. ^ 

The Americans were so much demoralized by the blow, that they 
abandoned their camp immediately, leaving their dead unburied, 
and continued their retreat for twelve miles over wretched roads, 
when they encountered two regiments of infantry advancing to their 
support. The appearance of the British squadron upon their flank 
completed their discomfiture. The retreat became a flight. They 
abandoned their boats, camp furniture and much of their baggage. 
Major Thomas Evans, of the 8th regiment, with four companies of 
infantry and a troop of Provincial dragoons, followed swiftly on their 
traces, and killed or captured many stragglers. The loyal inhabit- 
ants and Indians were roused and joined with alacrity in the pursuit, 
which was continued until almost within cannon-shot of Fort 
George. General Dearborn at once dismantled and abandoned Fort 
Erie and drew in his outposts from Chippawa and Queenston, 
concentrating his entire force at Niagara, where he began to form a 
large entrenched camp. On the same day that this was done a small 
party of Lincoln militia captured a depot of arms near Queenston, 
and during the night took possession of the village itself.j 

Ascertaining that about six thousand troops were then assembled 
at Fort George, Vincent did not consider it prudent to attempt the 

/. Vincent to Prevost, June 2; same to same, June 4. z. Vincent to Prevost, June 6. 
3. Evans to Harvey, June 10; Harvey to Baynes, June 11. 



investim-iil of llR-ir camp witli a force still not exceeding a third of 
tliat number, but contented liinisclf with sending forward detach- 
ments of light troops to watcli tlieir movements, and established his 
headquarters at the F'orty Mile Creek (Grimsby). Yet he continued 
to feel so confident of the superiority of his soldiers in fighting 
(lualities, tliat he assured tlie (lovernor-deneral that, if he could 
reinforce his division with one thousand men, he would undertake 
to drive th»eneniy out of the country./ 

While encamped tliero on the ]2tii June. Lieut. James FitzGibbon, 
the adjutant of tlie 4ytli, solicited and obtained permission to 
organize an independent company of fifty men to act as rangers, or 
scouts, in advance of tlie army. So many eligible volunteers from 
different battalions immediately desired permission to serve under 
his command, that he was embarrassed by their numbers in making a 
choice, for FitzGihlx)n wits already one of the best-known and most 
popular ortlcers in a division that included many adventurous and 
daring leaders. Distinguished alike for extraordinary physical 
strength and endurance, and an enterprising and resourceful mind, 
his poverty alone prevented him from obtaining high rank in his 
profession at a time when promotion was rarely attainable except by 
purchase. The son of the poor cottager on the Irish estate of the 
Knight of Olyn, he had enlisted at the age of fifteen in a troop of 
yeomanry raised by that nobleman during the rebellion of 1798. 
Having served for two years in tliist orps, lie volunteered into the ranks 
of the 4!>th. He was rapidly promoted tc the rank of sergeant, and 
participated in almost every engagement during the Duke of York's 
unfortunate expedit ion inU» Holland. In the first year of the present 
century he was drafted as a marine into Nelson's squadron, and was 
engaged on lx)ard the MondHi in the thickest of the fight at Copen- 
liageii. Wliile yet a non-commissioned oHIcer his military knowledge 
gained iiim tlie appointment of acting-adjutant to his battalion, and 
his commissions were subsequently won by merit and good conduct 
alone. For the last ten years he had been (luartered in different 
parts of Canada, and had become thoroughly familiarized with the 
habits of the i)eople and life in the woods. - 

In three days his c^)mpaiiy of rangers was fully organized, and 
accompanied by Cornet Amos McKenney and a few troopers of Mer- 
ritt's I'ntviiicial I>rag»K)tis. he moved forward to the Ten Mile Creek, 
and occujiird the heights ovi'rl(M)king the plain of Niagara. Stations 
cHtabltshed in the tops of some of tlie tallest trees enabled him to 
keep a close watch uim)Ii the movements of the main body of the 
Am<'ricans near Fort (;ef)rge. while his position at the junction of 
three roads leading res|)ectively U» the mouth of the creek, to Queen- 
Hton and to Niagara Falls, would permit him to move rapidly forward 
for the purpoue of cutting otT their foraging parties. His men were 

/ Vinccnl lo I'revoH. June 14. J. FiuCiibbon, Nan alivc of service ; Mrs. Jameson, 
Winter Sludim, Vol. i, p. 94. SrnHdifiK. Toronto of (llil. 



carefully drilled in the art of lighting in the woods aspracticeflby the 
Indians, of which FitzGibbon had made a close study for years./ 

Although the majority, particularly of the older inhabitants of the 
country, were unfaltering in their loyalty, it is certain that there were 
many persons, especially among the more recent immigrants from the 
United States, who were lukewarm, or even traitorously inclined. 
Immediately upon taking possession of Fort Erie, Colonel Preston, 
the American commandant, issued a proclamation to the inhabitants 
of the surrounding country promising protection to those who 
recognized the Government of the United States, and enrolled their 
names, and threatening those who still remained hostile with disas- 
trous consequences. During the last half-dozen years of the eighteenth 
century there had been a steady stream of immigration into this part 
of Canada, especially from the States of New Jersey and Pennsylvi.nia 
mainly composed of Quakers, Mennonites, and adherents of other 
sects, whose religious tenets forbade them from bearing arms. It is 
not surprising, then, that a considerable number of persons, some 
traveling for the purpose, it is said, even from the banks of the Grand 
River, came into the American lines and signed paroles. The 
number of inhabitants thus enrolled is stated by American authori- 
ties to have exceeded tive hundred, among whom, doubtless, there 
were many actuated chiefly by a desire to evade service in the 
militia. 2 

But there were some who were actively and aggressively disloyal, 
and professed their eagerness to assist the invaders in every way. 
Chief among these were Joseph Willcocks, editor of the only paper 
published at Niagara, and representative in the Provincial Assembly 
of the fourth riding of the County of Lincoln, and Benajah Mallory, 
the member for Middlesex. Willcocks was an Irishman, and had 
been once a member of the revolutionary society known as the 
United Irishmen, and Mallory was a native of the United States, but 
had lived for many years in Canada. Both were active and unscrupu- 
lous agitators of more than average ability and intelligence. A letter 
from an American officer stationed at Fort George at this time may 
be assumed to describe truthfully the sentiments of this faction. 
After narrating the circumstances connected with the landing of 
their army, the writer continues :—" Our friends hereabouts are 
greatly relieved by our presence. Tliey have been terribly persecuted 
by the Scotch Myrmidons of England. Their present joy is equal to 
their past misery. This is a most charming country, but its un- 
certain destiny together with the vexations farmers endured by 
being dragged out in the militia, left the country in a great measure 
uncultivated." For the moment it was confidently assumed that 
British rule was forever at an end, and that the speedy conquest of 
all Canada must follow. Enterprising traders had already followed 

/. Merritt, Journal. 2. Baltimore Whig ; C. J. Ingersoll, Hist, second war. 



in the track of the army, and established themselves in business. 
The fertility of the soil and evidences of a comparatively high state 
of cultivation before the war excited emotions of unconcealed sur- 
prise and delight among the invaders./ 

Finding himself in want of a body of men intimately acquainted 
with the country, to act as guides and scouts, a number of the dio- 
alTected were enrolled by command of General Dearborn in a separate 
corps for this purpose, termed the Canadian Volunteers. Willcocks 
and Mallory were rewarded for their treason by commis3ions as Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel and Major, and at tlieir urgent solicitation it was 
decided to bring over a body of Indians from New York to act in 
conjunction with them. About the same time Cyrenius Chapin. 
Sheriff of the County of Niagara in the State of New York, enlisted 
a troop of tifty mounted volunteers " for the purpose of clearing the 
frontier of persons inimical to the United States," and joined the 
American army at Fort George, marching down from Fort Erie on 
the Canadian side.^ 

Hitherto the inhabitants of the district in possession of the in- 
vading forces had been treated with a certain degree of lenity and 
consideration. They were assured protection to their families and 
property by both Generals Dearborn and Boyd. Some of the 
wounded militia who had been taken prisoners were even allowed to 
return to their homes upon signing paroles pledging themselves not 
to beiir arms against the United States until regularly exchanged. 
But a rigid search for arms was instituted and paroles exacted from 
all persons liable to military service. General Dearborn, soon after 
hts landing, summoned the magistrates to appear at his head- 
quarters, and twelve liaving obeyed, he authorized them to continue 
the exercise of their functions, and several minor offences were 
subsequently punished by them.J A few days later, however, he 
received a despatch from the Secretary of War, instructing him, in 
consequence of a dispute with Sir George Prevost and Admiral 
Warren, respecting an exchange of prisoners, not only to remove all 
genuine prisoners of war, wliether regulars or militia, to some secure 
place of confinement in tlie United States, but also directingthat all 
male inliabitants of Canada, sul)ject to the militia laws, should be 
regarded as prisoners of war and treated in the same manner.-^ In 
pursuance of this Ijarbarous edict, parties of soldiers were sent out to 
scour the country between Niagara and Fort Eric in every direction. 
On the Uttli of .lune and the two following days nearly one hundred 
persons were arrested, chiefly at their homes, on the roads, or 
working In the fields, and removed to the United States, where they 
were closfly c/Mifincd.f .Mxiut a dozen of tlie prisoners held com- 
missions in tlie militia, but at least fifty were non-combatants, many 

/. Batlimore WliiiC : Naiion«l Advocate ; N. V. EveninR Post. a. Buffalo Gazette; 
Albany ArKUK. .f. R«>*d. John SirachAn, letter to Thomas Jefferson; Win. Dickson to 
- Can. Airii. 4. .Srrmary o( W«r to Onerwl Denrborn, May 26. 5. Albany Gazette. 



9 

of them over sixtj' years of age, and some, mere children.^ Among 
tlie number were the Rev. Robert Addison, rector of Niagara, 
William Dickson, a barrister, and Messrs. Baldwin, Edwards, Grier, 
Heron, Muirhead and Symington, the principal merchants of the 
place. Captains George Lawe and John McEwen, and the brothers 
Kerr, were still helpless from wounds, received in the battle at 
Niagara. Captain Jacob Ball, designated as "an active and cruel 
commander of Indians," was seized in his house within half a mile 
of FitzGibbon's advanced picket at dead of night.^ The men 
employed in this service chiefly belonged to Chapin's and Willcocks's 
volunteers, with whom discipline was lax, and many outrages were 
committed. The inhabitants were insulted, maltreated, and pillaged 
mercilessly.^ 

This line of conduct naturally exasperated and alarmed the 
remaining inhabitants beyond measure, and they welcomed Fitz- 
Gibbop's advance with the liveliest manifestations of joy. The 
British troops had remained almost inactive for several days owing 
chiefly to their distressed condition for want of proper clothing and 
provisions. Capt. Fulton, aid de camp to Sir George Prevost, 
who visited their camp upon a confidential mission at this 
time, described the •49th as " literally naked,^'' while the 41st 
were " in rags and without shoes'." Both officers and men 
were glad to appropriate articles of clothing captured 
from the enemy or stripped from the bodies of the dead.'^ 
Meanwhile Colonel Procter, at Detroit, who had been promised that 
the remaining companies of the latter regiment would be sent to his 
assistance, was complaining bitterly in almost daily letters of their 
detention, and at the same time begging that supplies should be sent 
him to preserve his men from actual starvation in the face of the 
enemy. The military chest was absolutely empty. Vincent had 
even been compelled to borrow five hundred guineas from Colonel 
Thomas Clark to enable a party of militia to purchase cattle and 
drive them overland to Amherstburg, for the temporary relief of the 
British garrisons there.^ 

The opportune arrival of Major De Haren with the two flank 
companies of tlie 104th, or New Brunswick regiment, and a body of 
340 Indians from Lower Canada, and the evident good disposition of 
the inhabitants, encouraged Vincent to push forward a small brigade 
of light troops under Lieut.-Colonel Cecil Bisshop, "to feel the pulse 
of the enemy." He described his chief objects in thus advancing, as 
being to spare the resources of the country in his rear, and to draw 

/. The militia officers were Alex. McDonnel, Dy-Paymaster General of Militia ; John 
Syminijton, District Paymaster : Wm. Ross, Commissary; Lt.-Col. Ralph Clench, Capts. 
John Powell, George Lawe, John DeCoe, John McEwen, John Jones, Jacob Ball and 
Baxter, Lieuts. Wm. Powlis, Jonathan Williams and John Bradt. Capts. Powell and 
Lawe were released by a raiding party of British at Burlington, Vt., the following 
February. 2. National Advocate ; 3. Quebec Mercury, letter of Rev. John Strachan, 
James, Mil. Occ. 4. Fulton to Prevost, June 18 ; De Rottenburg to Prevost, July 14. 
S- Vincent to Prevost, June 2. 



10 

as much of his supplies as possible from the district in vicinity of his 
adversary's lines, besides encouraffing the inhabitants to rise and 
make prisoners of the enemy's foraj^'iti).' parties. Deserters from the 
American camp estimated (Jeneral Dearborn's force at 6,000, of whom 
many were sick, and their fears of an attack were stated to be as 
strong as every Their forayiiifj and reconnoitring parties although 
usually numerous and well mounted, were constantly attacked by the 
militia and, as one of their ollicers writing home remarked, " .seldom 
gained much in this sort of warfare, as the enemy is best acquainted 
with the paths, bye-roads, swamps, and the country in general.".' 
Vincent's effective force at tliis time does not seem to have much 
exceeded two thousand of all ranks, including militia and Indians. 

On the 20th June, Bi.sshop established his head(iuarters at the 
Twenty Mile Creek, on the heights above the present village of 
Jordan, and Major Dellaren with his two companies of New Bruns- 
wick men, the light company of the Sth, and the Caughnawaga 
Indians, took up a position in advance of the Ten Mile Creek, having 
his main-guard posted on the lake road, near the mouth of that 
stream, and a chain of outposts extending across the country, cover- 
ing a front of alxjut seven miles, witii his right resting on Turney's 
cross-roads, near the German meeting-house, within a mile of the 
site of the present town of Tl)orold.? Merritt's troop of Provincial 
dragoons patrolled tlie roads in front, Init both men and horses were 
much exhausted by the severe service of the last two months. 

FitzGibbon's scouts on the upland above, were kept constantly 
in motion, never sleeping twice in the same place On the 20th they 
had a sharp skirmish with some cavalry rn-ar Niagara Falls. The next 
day it was reported that Chapin's troop was plundering the inhabi- 
tants between Cliipi)awa and Fort Erie, and a farmer living near 
Point Abino was accused of furnisliing them with information. Ac- 
comjianifd by Capt. Merritt. Li«'ut. Hartiarci.Cdriu't McKenney, Capt. 
Jaw. Cummings, and a singledragoon,i''it/(;il)l)on immediately rode In 
search of the marauders. They surrounded tlie house of the sus- 
pected maa tliree hours before dawn, and cai)tured him with one of 
Chapin's scouts, wlio was sleeping there. >' ^Vllile Merritt and the 
others wMiveyed the prisoners to a place of safety, I'it/.liibbon re- 
joined !iis a)mpany and advanced swiftly in the direction of Niagara 
Falls, In the liopeof inlerceplingChapin dnrinn his return to Niagara. 
As he entered Luridy's Lane lie was informed that the latter had 
already been Joined by IfiO rillemen from Fort George. Riding for- 
ward alone to roa)nnoitre, he was presently recognized by Mrs. James 
Kerby. the wife of a loyal (•ai)tain of militia, who ran out of herhouse 
In a slate of great agitation, and begged him to retire at once, as u 
large party of the enemy had just passed up the road. Hut seeing a 

/ Viticrnl lo I'rrvon. June ji , MrDouoll lo Proctor, June 14. j. NY. Evening Post. 

/ Mritiit Joiiin.il. 4 Mrrrilt. Jiiiinal. 



11 

single cavalry horse standing saddled in front of a small tavern a 
little distance further on, and thinlcing it probable that only the 
ridor was within, he yielded to the temptation to attempt hiscapture, 
and dismounting, approached the house quietly on foot. Suddenly 
an American infantry soldier came out and levelling his musket, 
demanded his surrender. Before he could tire, however, FitzGibbon 
had closed with him, and not wishing to raise an alarm, attempted to 
wrest his weapon from him and threw him to the ground by main 
strength. Then a rifleman made his appearance from behind the 
house and hurried to the assistance of his companion. FitzGibbon's 
great physical strength alone preserved him from death and capture at 
this critical moment. Thrusting his first assailant violently back 
upon the other, he succeeded in grasping his rifle with his disengaged 
hand, and held the weapons of both in such a position that neither of 
them could fire with effect. A little knot of inhabitants had gathered 
near, and the struggling and overmatched officer called upon two 
young men he observed among them, to come to his assistance, but 
although Mrs. Kerby implored them with tears to comply, their fears 
prevailed and they slunk away. An instant later the rifleman 
snatched FitzGibbon's sword from his side and had raised it to strike 
him, when Mrs. Detields, the innkeeper's wife, sprang forward and 
struck his uplifted arm with such force that the sword fell from his 
grasp. Then an old man named Johnson and a boy only thirteen 
years of age, the son of Dr. Fleming, came to the rescue, and with the 
assistance of the women, finally enabled FitzGibbon to disarm and 
tie both his antagonists securely on the back of the captured horse 
and ride away with them in triumph, although a party of their com- 
rades had already made their appearance within a couple of hundred 
yards of the scene of this desperate struggle.^ 

That night FitzGibbon retired to DeCew's house near the upper 
crossing of the Twelve Mile Creek, a substantial two-storey stone 
building, which had been selected as a place of deposit for stores by 
"Vincent prior to the capture of Fort George, and was capable of a 
prolonged defence against any force not provided with artillery. The 
owner, Captain .John DeCew, was among the prisoners recently 
deported to the United States to be held as hostages, as their captors 
announced, for the good behaviour of the remaining inhabitants. 
There, a few hours later, he was joined by a party of Caughnawaga 
or Iroquois Indians under Captain Dominique Ducharme. This force 
had been organized at Montreal l^y Sir .John .Johnson and originally 
consisted of 160 warriors from the Sault St. Lewis, 120 from the Lake 
of Two Mountains, and 60 from St. Regis village under the general 
command of Ducharme, assisted by Lieutenants J. B. de Lorlmier, 
Gideon Gaucher, Louis Langlade, Evangeliste Saint Germain and 
Isaac LeClair. All of these oflicers were experienced woodsmen, 

/. Quebec Mercury. 



12 

possessing the entire confidence of tlieir followers with whose 
lannua^t' and liabits of life most of thorn had l)een familiar from 
childJHK)d. In several instances their families had been associated 
for several generiitions with the Indian tribes, both in peace and in 
war. As a rule they had adopted tiie Indian costume even to the 
extent of plumes and war-paint, and as their faces were bronzed by 
years of exposure to the weather, they could scarcely be distinguished 
by an ordinary observer as belonging to a different race from their 
followers./ 

During tl>e course of the next day, Ducharme went with twenty- 
five warriors to reconnoitre tlie Niagara, and advancing within sight 
of Fort George, surprised a party of American soldiers in a tavern, 
killing four and making seven prisoners. Although hotly pursued 
by cavalry he easily effected his escape by plunging into the woods, 
with the loss of but a single warrior, who lagged behind to bring off 
some horses. The same afternoon another party attacked a boat in 
the river near Queenston, killing two persons and capturing six.^ 

Annoyed beyond endurance by the audacity of an adversary 
numerically so much weaker in thus harassing his outposts. General 
Dearborn determined to strike a vigorous blow at Vincent's advance- 
guard in return. Having Ijeen informed by Chapin on the 23rd. that 
Fitz(Jiblx»n had occupied I )eCew's house witii a single company of 
regular trr)ops, and between sixty and a hundred Indians (a very 
close estimate of his actual strengtli), and was said to be fortifying 
it and collacting supplies there, he was easily persuaded to consent to 
an expedition for tlie purpose of dislodging him, and overawing the 
Inhabitants in that quarter.* A column of 600 men was deemed 
amply sulhcient for the performance of this service, and Colonel 
Charles G. IV)erstler. of tlie 14th IT. S. Infantry, or Maryland 
reginicnt, was selected for the command. This otlicer had already 
dlstinguislied himself by gallant conduct in leading the night attack 
on the batteries below Fort Fj-ie in November, 1812. During the 
winter his complaints of the inactivity of his superiors had been 
fre<iuont and bitter. By Cf)mnion consent he was regarded as one of 
the bravest and most enterprising olhcers in the American army. 
The wh()l(! of Ills own regiment, orie company of the (ith, another of 
tlie 2:ird, a trf>op of the 2n(i Light Dragoons, commanded by Cornet 
Hurd, a company of light artillery, with one fi-pound and one 12- 
pound fleldplccc, under Captain Andrew McDowell, and Chapin's 

•On iheaoili Juno Onrral Drarborn wrote to llie Srrret.iry of W.-ir :— " I am so reduced 
in h^«lil) »• «" *" in.-»fah|.- nf anv rniiimnnfl. Hrin-C.fn Hoyd is tlie only Reneral officer 
prefnt." ' • • i 1 .t« •• .i ronipciund or iRnorance, vanity and 

peiiilanc<>. i'lit tliiii Kpccics of bravory on the field which 

f« .mikIimk olisrrv.ition. and Ixtlcr adapted to the 

h ■!nplaiiii« of ihr inilxrijity (.f the army, Boyd, with 

D<-i. 1 .. ' ipr." !'/,/«■ H. Adam's Hist., U. S., vol VII n 

ua. ' 

/. Doeharme, ntrrallvc in M Bibaud't Bibliotheque Canadicnnc, Vol. 4 ^ Duc- 
hartn* : Buffalo Cfatciie 



corps of mounted infantry, were detailed for the purpose, the entire 
force exceeding six hundred rank and file.^ Ammunition and pro- 
visions were conveyed in two four-horse wagons. 

The distance from the American camp at Fort George by way of 
Queenston, the route selected for the advance of the expedition, was 
estimated at rather less than eighteen miles. To Bisshop's head- 
quarters, by way of the lake road, it was nearly as far, while De 
Haren's outpost at the mouth of the " Ten " was not quite ten miles 
away. The three principal advanced posts of the British were thus 
established at the angles of an equilateral triangle, each side of 
which was about seven miles in length. A chain of outposts stretch- 
ing along its base maintained communication between De Haren on 
the edge of the lake, and FitzGibbon on the crest of the heights 
above. Bisshop's position, near the junction of two roads, would 
enable him to support either of these officers, when necessary, with 
equal facility. At the same time the American line of outposts did 
not extend more than two miles in advance of Fort George in any 
direction. 

Besides the main road to Burlington, following the shore of the 
lake, another, sometimes known as the Black Swamp road, led almost 
in a direct line from Niagara to Paul Shipman's tavern at the cross- 
ing of the Twelve Mile Creek on the site of the present city of St. 
Catharines. From Queenston, a much frequented road wound along 
the base of the heights to the small village of St. David's, where it 
divided, one branch running north-westward to Shipman's, while the 
other ascended the plateau, and following the summit reached the 
Tv/elve Mile Creek.nearthe Falls. There were besides a number of 
woodland paths and bye-roads, leading inland in various directions, 
with which the inhabitants were famijiar, but these were the only 
routes at all practicable for the passage of artillery and heavy wagons. 
While this column of troops advanced against FitzGibbon, a 
simultaneous movement was designed against De Haren's picket at 
the mouth of the •' Ten," with the object of occupying his attention 
and preventing him from rendering any assistance to the former, but 
for some reason it was never executed. Boerstler's instructions 
directed him to advance as rapidly as possible upon FitzGibbon's 
post, and, if necessary, batter down the house and capture or disperse 
the garrison. Chapin, vain, boastful, and never very particular as 
to the accuracy of his statements, boldly asserted that he had pene- 
trated into the hilly region beyond DeCew's a few days before, al- 
though it subsequently appeared that he had not approached within 
several miles of the place, and was in consequence selected as pilot 
for the expedition. But at the last moment it was discovered that a 
detachment of riflemen intended for this service had been already 
placed on guard, and could not be relieved. This oversight deprived 
/. Armstrong, Notices ; IngersoU ; Lossingj etc. 



14 

Roorstlor of a portion of his most efTective troops, and obliged liim 
to manMi without thoni.' 

The departure of the column frtun camp was purposely delayed 
until eveninjj to avoid observation. At the outlying picket, the 
main Ixxly halted, and the mounted men rode rapidly forward to 
Queenston to secure the iniiai)iiants and prevent them from giving 
the alarm. Silence was strictly enjoined during the march, and 
patrols and i)ickets were at once thrown out on all the roads leading 
away from that village..' 

It was commonly said that there had not been such a rainy sea- 
son for a quarter of a century. Showers of greater or less magnitude 
had fallen nearly every day for several weeks. The roads were thor- 
oughly saturated, and the ordinary number of horses could scarcely 
drag the cannon. Accordingly it was almost midnight before the 
remainder of the detachment arrived and halted for the night. No 
lights or tiros were allowed, and tiie men lay on their arms, but not- 
withstanding tile thorougliness of these precautions to ensure secrecy 
information of their approach was .soon speeding towards the British 
outposts as swiftly as a woman's feet could carry it. Among the few 
remaining inhabitants of C^ueenston, was .James Secord, a sergeant 
in the Lincoln Militia, and still almost helpless from wounds received 
in the battle of the l.'Jth of October. Thirty-six years before, when a 
child only three years f)ld, he had accompanied liismother in her flight 
thmugh the wilderness from the Sus(iueliaiina Valley, with four 
other homeless women and many children, to escape the fury of a 
band of rurtlans, who called themsolves "Sons of Liberty." After 
enduring frightful hardships for nearly a month, they finally arrived 
at Fort Niagara almost naked and starving. Subsequently his father 
and several elder brothers liad enlisted in Butler's Rangers, and for- 
feited their lands by their loyalty. The memory of the wrongs and 
sufferings of his family still rankled in his l)reast and caused him to 
regard the people of the rnitcd St.ites literally as personal enemies. 
The parents of his wife had likewi.se been refugee loyalists, and she 
was e<iually warm and unf.iltering in her jiatriotisni. 

The sudden arrival of so large a Ixuly of troojts by night, and the 
unusual care taken to conceal their advance, at once led them to sus- 
pect that the blow was aimed at Kit/.riibbon, some of whose men had 
been In the village during t lie day. and tliey anxiously began to medi- 
tate means of warning him of the impending danger. Since it was 
clearly impotwible for Secord to .accomplish the necessary jour- 
ney, his wife promptly determined to undertake the perilous task 
herHelf. She w.-m a slight and delicate woman, already in her thirty- 
eighth year, and the mother of five children. The roads in many 
plaei'H were ankle-deep in mud, the country was sparsely .settled and 
the woods were known to be haunted by bands of Indians and white 

/ ArmtuonK, Noticct , Loikinic. i AriiistroDK. 



IT) 

marauders, wlio lump: upon tlic skirts of the armies, yet she never 
faltered in her resolution. Leaving the house at the first flush of 
dawn, with a pail upon her arm, she succeeded in passing the nearest 
sentinel under pretence of milking a cow in the fields beyond. It 
was then no difficult matter to guide the animal behind a convenient 
thicket, and once fairly out of sight, she threw the pail aside and 
began her toilsome walk. Fearing that her purpose might be 
saspected when her prolonged absence was discovered, and a pursuit 
begun, she carefully avoided the main road and struck into a bye- 
path leading througli the fields and woods. The brilliancy of the 
moon favored her flight. Occasionally the distant howl of a wolf 
smote upon her ear, and more than once a rattlesnake glided from 
the patli and disappeared in the rank grass. But these were not 
unfamiliar sights and sounds to the dwellers in the woods, and she 
pushed bravely on without a pause till she reached the village of St. 
Davids. 

After resting for an instant at tlie house of a relative, she 
resumed her journey, still avoiding the highway and selecting a' 
circuitous and lonely route which led her many miles out of the 
way. Finally, having walked as she imagined, some nineteen miles 
since leaving home, she arrived at a branch of the Twelve Mile 
Creek shortly after sunrise, and finding it much swollen by the recent 
rains and the bridge removed, she was compelled to cross it upon 
the trunk of a fallen tree. Toiling up the steep bank beyond she 
stumbled into the midst of a group of sleeping Indians, who sprang 
hastily to their feet with piercing yells. It was with great difficulty 
she made her object understood by their chief, who understood but a 
few words of English, and some delay ensued before she was con- 
ducted to FitzGibbon, to whom she told her story, describing the 
composition of the column advancing against him, and estimating its 
strength at nearly a thousand men.^ 

It being contrary to the custom of the Indians to act at night, 
they had withdrawn to their respective encampments and Ducharme 
had not more than eighty warriors with him. Scarcely had Mrs. 
Secord concluded her narrative, when his scouts came in shrieking 
the death-cry. They had encountered the advance-guard of the 
enemy near St. David's, and one of their number had been killed. 
Ducharme immediately requested permission to advance and waylay 
the column at a spot which had fixed his attention the day before, 
as being favorable for an ambush. FitzGibbon readily gave his 
assent, and the entire body of Indians set off at a run.-' 

r. Auchinleck ; Coffin; Lossing ; Quebec Mercury. 2. Ducharme in Bibaud's 
Bibliotheque Canadienne. 

2. This account differs in some respects from Mrs.Secord's own narrative as recorded 
in letters printed by Auchinleck and Lossing. It should be remembered that these letters 
were written more than forty years after, wiien Mrs. Secord was above eighty years of 
age. From them the natural inference would be that she walked an entire day and parts 
of two nights. It is certain that the expedition was not authorized until late on the after- 
noon of tlie 23rd. Mrs. Secord, therefore, could not ha%'e been more than five or six hours 
on the road. The distance from Queenston to Decew's Falls in a direct line, is less than 
twelve miles. 



McABWhUe Boeretler had seized an inhabitant whom he forced to 
•et M a tniide. and shortly after daybrt'aii resumed his marcli. As his 
advaoco-truard ont4*red St. David's two British officers were seen riding 
away in the direction of the C"n)Ss-roads, now Homer village, and 
prvseotly they heard alarm-guns and bugles sounding in the distance. 
Chapin remarked that tliey would probably soon hear from Fitz- 
Glbboo, and Hoerstler replied that they would doubtless liave to ti;,'ht 
there on their return. The column continued to move forward with 
great caution, having a party of Chapin's mounted rirlemen well in 
fnint with light infantry in ext^^ided order on either flank, followed 
by the 14th ['. S. Infantry, tile artillery and wagons, then the com- 
panies of the t)th and 23rd, while the troop of dragoons covered the 
rear. In this order they passed the point where the road diverged 
to Shlpman's and ascended the heights. Kmm time to time Indians 
were observed gliding stealthily thr(»ugh the woods, but as yet they 
made no attempt to molest their march.' 

From the date of the earliest exploration, much of the present 
township of Stamford was scantily wooded, but in it^ north-west 
angle and stretching into the adjacent township of Thorold there 
waM a compact and extensive tract of well-timbered land, commonly 
known a-s the Iteechwoods. Here tlie niad by which Boerstler was ad- 
vancing became a mere narn)w wlieel-track, intersected in many 
plaoeK by deep gullies, and elosfly Jxtunded on cither side by an 
almost continuous wall of trees and underbrush.-' 

Choosing a »p<^>t where on*- of the widest and deepest of these 
ravines crossed the road. Ducharme stationed his warriors, Lieuten- 
ant I)e I»rimler and Le Clair, with twenty-tive Caughnawagas, on 
the right; Captain William .Johnson Kerr and Lieutenant John 
Urant. witli sixt4^'«'n Mohawks, on the left, while hf retained the re- 
mainder under his own C4>nimaiid on tlie further slope, to check the 
advance of the enemy, and force them back Into the hollow. 

Already the heat of the sun had become intense, and many of 
the heavlly-burrlened Infantry sdldiers ha<l begun Ut lag and droop 
with fatigue. Itetween eight and nine o'el(K'.k the advance guard, 
consUtlng of about twenty mo»;nU'd ritlemcn, rode into the hollow 
and U-gari the iUHM'nt of the oi»i)ositt' slojx'. .\ single volley from the 
thlrkeiiK i-inplled every siuldle but one, and several warriors imme- 
dlaU'ly ^I>^lng forward to strip and s&ilp their fallen enemies. Du- 
rbarrae ha*tUy iDterpo^ed and ordered them back to their coverts to 
aw rtvarh of the infarHry. already dose at hand. The head 

of t: I wHJi greet»-d wit li a shower of l)ullets. Th(> leading 

companleH attempt<'d to deploy, and the artillery and mounted men 
werr ordered t« tlie rear. Much disorder ensued, and, at this oppor- 
tune mom <--' •'■• detachments of Lorimierand Kerr began the attack 
OQ the flai. . 1 pre-Hcntly another small party appeared in the rear 

/. AiiB»uoa«. Cbapla's i«vi«w of ArmtuofiK. i. T»lbot, Five years in Canada. 




^A 



'J 



vrra^Yr ^//"(CoUt 




17 

and killed several men there. The foremost .se(;tions retired precipi- 
tately upon the main body, and tinally formed in an opening in the 
woods on the right of the road, whither tliey were followed and again 
attacked. The artillery was then brought forward and directed to 
clear the thickets with canister. The first discharge passed harm- 
lessly overhead, and the wary leader of the Indians ordered them to 
retire to the woods before the cannon could again be loaded. In ao- 
complishing this, however, several of their number, having ventured 
too far forward, were killed or wounded in crossing an open space, 
and most of the Mohawks became panic-stricken and left the field./ 
Hastily concluding that he had to contend with superior numbers 
Boerstler despatched a mounted orderly to Fort George to announce 
that he had been attacked and had fallen back to a clearing, where 
he would wait for reinforcements. But soon observing that theirfire 
had begun to slacken, he determined to make a vigorous effo<rt to 
brush aside his assailants and continue his march. Leaving his 
artillery behind, protected by the dragoons and the two detached 
companies of infantry under Major Taylor, second in command, 
whose horse had been killed at the first fire, he formed the whdle of 
his own regiment in single rank, .with a company on each wing 
thrown back to cover the fiank of his line, and led it at a quickstep 
into the woods on the right of the road, with the intention of driving 
the Indians into the fields beyond. He had almost penetrated 
through the woods, without encountering much opposition, when a 
violent attack was commenced on his right fiank. Wheeling in that 
direction, the advance was continued for a considerable distance in 
the face of an incessant fire from an almost invisible enemy. Then, 
finding that his men were losing heavily and becomingfatigued, with- 
out gaining any substantial advantage, Boerstler threw out a line of 
skirmishers to hold the enemy In check, and directed a general 
retreat upon the artillery. The Indians pressed their advantage with 
exulting sliouts, and finally the Americans fell back in considerable 
confusion into a hollow where they were partially sheltered from their 
fire.^ 

Ducharme then promptly directed Lieutenants Gaucher, Gamelin 
and Langlade with their respective detachments to make a circuit 
through the woods and gain their flank and rear. This was soon ac- 
complished, and bullets from the overhanging thicket again began 
to drop with fatal effect among Boerstler's men, now quite dazed and 
dispirited. Although slightly wounded in the very beginning of the 
action, Boerstler had remained on horseback constantly encouraging 
his soldiers, and as he galloped along the line, affording a conspicuous 
mark to the enemy. Another shot then struck him in the thigh, 
inflicting a severe fleshwound. Captains Cummings and McChesney, 
and Lieutenants Marshall and Eandall were disabled nearly at the 

/. Ducharme ; Armstrong ; Chapin :' Boerstler. letter to his fathnr. ? Arm=.r.,„„ 



18 

saino m«)mpnt. and the fall of so many ollicers had naturally a most 
dis«x«itn)us i-fTt'Ct.' 

While the tide ui li.illl<- >\vay('d t<» and fro in tlie woods, small 
parties of Indians were constantly coming u\) and swelling the 
nuni»x>r8 of the assailants. Captain Hall, of the Provincial Cavalry, 
appeared upon the scene, and after surveying' the conflict for a few 
miJiuU's. ^'allopi'd otf lo report to De Haren. Then, after the action 
had laxti'd almost an hour. Kitz(;il)l)on rode up, accompanied by his 
only sul)altern, Lieutenant Winder. Observing that the Americans 
were already thrown upon t lie defensive, almost surrounded, and 
ap|)arently undL-termined wiiether to continue their advance or 
atu-mpt a retreat, he sent away his companion to bring forward the 
remainder of his comi)any, consisting of a single sergeant and forty- 
five rank and tile, and remained to watch the fortunes of the tight. 
KInally, the three hrotlKMs Kelly, militiamen, who had been per- 
mitted to return to their homes on an adjacent farm to assist in 
haymaking, attracted by tin' sdunds of strife, seized their arms and 
joint'd in the attack, others followed until the militia present 
numlH-red about tifteen under the command of Major David Secord, 
a veteran of the Revolution, who lived not far distant.-' 

Order having l)een to some e.vtent restored in their ranks, the 
American infantry f(»rm('d behind a fence and such other cover as 
they could find, and opened a brisk tire in rei»ly. Some of the boldest 
of their rillemen even advanced a c<)nsiderable distance up the ravine 
and dislodged a party of Indians posted there. In accomplishing 
this three of their mimber were shot dead by a single Indian, who 
was, lutwever. discovered as he attempted to escape from his lurking 
place and killed. The skirmish continued with great animation 
Jintll the .\merirans had exiiausted twenty-six roundsof ammunition 
to very little advantage, as they wi-re rarely alile to detect the form 
of any Individual assailant even for an instant, and could merely tire 
at random Into tlie surrounding woods. A dense volume of smoke 
willed down into the opening, and hung steadily over their heads. 
Mi'anwhile they wen- girdled about by a circle of lire. Every tree 
and rock and tuft of Uill grass seemed to emit its special jet of 
llame./ 

The Ciimpany of rangers having arrived, they were posted by 
their cxMumander on the high gitiund on t lie right of the road, and 
he then dln»cted the greater part of the Indians to occupy the woods 
(»n Imth Hides of the ro.id in the rear of the Americans, with a view 
of reUirdlng their retreat until othi'r reinforcements could come up. 

Noticing the glow of wrarlct in frontand harassed in flank and rear 
by an Indefinite and apparently ever-Increasing number of whooping 
Indians and militiamen, iVnTstler reluctantly determined to begin 

/. U.%«lim . ArimitoMK . Chapin ; Oucharinc. 2. yucbcc Mercury ; Coffin ? Arm- 
Mfoug, Cb«|'>o. ■' ' •^' ^ 



19 

liis retreat towards Qucenston. With this intention, the wounded 
were collected and placed in the wagons, and the artillery, under 
protection of a company of infantry, was sent to occupy a clearing 
on the right of the road in lot 45 of the township of Thorold, ui)on 
the summit of the ridge. The remainder of the infantry were 
next retired to the same position and formed in close column. 
By retreating thence across a long stretcli of cultivated land, 
it would be impossible to avoid the woods occupied by the 
Indians and regain the road beyond, where it passed mainly through 
an open country. The prospect of escape now appeared so fair that 
FitzGibbon determined to parley, chiefly, it is probable, with a view 
of detaining them. Accordingly, he approached their position with 
a flag of truce, and being met by Captain McDowell, he boldly 
informed him that they were sun-ounded by superior numbers, and 
could not possibly escape. He added that many of the Indians 
under his command had just arrived from the Northwest, and were 
of the most ferocious disposition. They had already met with severe 
losses, and were much exasperated, and he feared if the action was 
continued much longer, they would become unmanageable and begin 
an indiscriminate massacre. He desired to prevent unnecessary waste 
of life, and therefore demanded their immediate surrender. This 
was merely the set form of summons, which had proved so potent at 
Mackinac, Detroit, and other places, and McDowell frankly expressed 
his disbelief of the assertion that their situation was hopeless, and 
desired time for consideration, and both officers returned to their 
lines. Opportunely for the success of FitzGibbon's strategem, Capt. 
Hall galloped up at that moment, accompanied by several troopers 
ol the Provincial Cavalry, and readily consented to personate Major 
De Haren in the event of the American commandant pressing a 
demand to be permitted to see the forces opposed to him. ' 

Approaching the American position a secoad time, FitzGibbon 
was admitted into Colonel Boerstler's presence, and found him 
agitated and unnerved by loss of blood and the pain of his wounds. 
The narratives of the slaughter at the River Raisin and Fort Meigs, 
purposely exaggerated and invested with innumerable blood-curdling 
details by the newspapers of the administration, were fresh in his 
mind, and a judicious allusion to the difficulty experienced in 
restraining the Indians caused him to exclaim nervously: "For 
God's sake, keep the Indians from us!" FitzGibbon promptly replied 
that he must decide at once, for this was not a matter to be dallied 
with, and expressed his willingness to permit an officer to view his 
forces. A subaltern was detailed for the purpose, but when they 
reached a bend in the road, where some of the rangers were stationed, 
they were met by Captain Hall, in the character of De Haren, who 
feigned to be much enraged at the delay, and declaring that thi» 

/. Armstrong; Chapin, 



20 

rc<iucst oil the part (»f the enemy was too hiiiniliatintr to be endured, 
heonlered the Anierieaii ((HU-fr t-ii return at once to his own lines.' 
He reiterated, however, Fit/.Uibbon's demand for an immediate 
surrender, stating' tliat it wjis then possil)le to protect the wounded 
from the Indians, which he could not entjafie to do if the action 
was renewi'd. 

A section of Fitz(}iblK>n"s company was next directed to rush 
across the open unnind and join the Indians in rear of the enemy 
to imi)ress tliem still furtlier witii a belief in the superiority of the 
Mritish forces. This movement was rapidly executed without loss 
under lire of their artillery, and tirint,' on both sides was briskly 
recommenced.-' , 

The confident attitude of his assailants had convinced Colonel 
RfK-rstler tliat his situati(tn was extremely critical, and lie summoned 
a meeting of his olllcers to obtain their views. Ills men had marched 
almo.Ht ten miles that morning'. They had been under arms for six 
liours. and liad been li^rhtiji^r bti' the last three. The streuf^thof the 
c<»lumn had ijeen consideraljly diminished by killed, wounded and 
skulkers, and those still in the ranks were much exhausted by heat 
and fatik'ue. Their supply of ammunition was greatly reduced, only 
three charges of canister and a few round shot remaining for each of 
the guns. I'lidfr tlu-sc circumstances it is not surprising that most 
of his sulKirdinates were inclined to take a gloomy view of their 
IMtsitiori. Having at least fifteen miles to retreat along a road 
Ixtrdered in many places by w(K»ds, th(;y candidly expressed their 
d(tul)ts whether a quarter of their numljer would i)e able to escape. 
When the remainder of their cartridges were expended, the Indians, 
they said, would Ih- able t<» »*liiMit them down at pleasure. Boerstler 
ac<|uif.sced in the main with these oi)inions, and stating that he 
would .-issume all resiM>nsiltility for the surrender, despatched Captain 
McDowell with itistructlons to obtain tin- liest terms possible.^ 

It w;i.s with great ditllculty that the Indians could be induced to 
n-asc firing, whi-n it was annnunccd that the Americans were finally 
pK jiared Ut surrendiT. hucharme could speak but little English, 
and readily consent^'d that Flt/.(;ibbon should frame the articles of 
r^ipitulation, stipulating only tliat his f'ol!(»wers should be allowed to 
divide the plunder. A l)rief document, consisting of but four .short 
cluuHeH, wji-H then signed by CajiUiin IVIeDowell, by which it was 
agreed that CoIomcI ItoerHtler's entire command should become 
,,-. . . , p^ „f ^var, the olllcers ])eing .allowed to retain their arms, 
I. Hid jirlvate baggage, a?id the militia and volunteers to return 

to their hotncKon pamle. While the negotiations were in progress, 
Cluipln made a resulntv and perfidious attempt to escape with his 

•" '•■ IMaclng his wounded men, about fifteen in number, in 

re of his tnKjji, he began U) ride rapidly down the road. But 
/. Ata»»Uou«; yuebcc Mercury, j. Ibid. j. AriusUong; Lossing. 



this movement was frustrated by the alertness of the Indians, who 
immediately barred the way In great numbers, and eventually not a 
sint!;le man escai)od but the orderly, who had been despatched for 
assistance wiien the attack began. Twenty-three otlicers and 487 
non-commissioned officers and men of the regular army and thirty 
militia laid down their arms. -^ About thirty of all ranks were sup- 
posed to have been killed and sixty or seventy wounded. The colors 
of the 14th United States Infantry, two tieldpieces, two baggage- 
wagons and five hundred stand of arms were the principal trophies 
of the victory. 

Fortunately for all parties Major De Flaren, who, for some time 
had obstinately refused to believe that any formidable movement 
was directed against the right flank of his position, came up with 
200 men of the 8tli and 104th in time to take charge of the prisoners, 
for, wlien it became known that the personal baggage of the officers 
was protected by the terms of capitulation, the Indians grew very 
indignant at what they considered a deliberate plot to deprive them 
of booty to which they were justly entitled, and their discontent 
subseciuently increased to such a height that many of them abruptly 
returned to their villages a few weeks later.^ 

This signal success was obtained at the expense of a very trifling 
loRS. FitzGibbon's company was but slightly engaged, and did not 
have a single man injured. At the time, seven Indians were reported 
to have been killed and sixteen wounded, but Ducharme subse- 
quently estimated their entire loss at fifteen killed and twenty-five 
wounded.J 

The consequence of the victory proved far more important than 
could have been reasonably anticipated at the time. The 15th United 
States Infantry, a company of artillery, and a detachment of riflemen 
had been dispatched to Boerstler's support,and had already advanced 
as far as Queenston, but being menaced by a small party of Indians, 
retired precipitately to their camps. Many were of the opinion that 
the army should at once retire from Canada, but a council of war, 
composed of the chief officers, was held, at which it was ultimately 
decided to remain. Every exertion was made to fortify and strengthen 
their position at Fort George. Thenceforward for tliree months, they 
were restricted by their fears to the ground within range of their 
cannon, louring the first week they did not venture to send even a 
patrol further than a mile outside their entrenchments. The prin- 
cipal division of the invading army was virtually paralyzed during 
the season of the year most favorable for military operations, a»d 

I. Return of prisoners taken in action of 24th June, 1813 : Liglit Dragoons, 1 Cor- 
net. 1 Sergeant, 19 rank and file; Light Artillery, 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 1 Sergeant, 
31 rank and file; 6th Infantry, 1 Captain, 1 Lieutenant, 3 Sergeants, £4 rank and file; 
14th Infantry. 1 Colonel, 3 Captains, 11 Lieutenants, 1 Surgeon ; 15 Sergeants, 300 rank 
and file; 20th Infantry, 1 Major; 23ni Infantry, 1 Captain, 4 Sergeants. 2 Drummers, 57 
rank and file. a. Coffin ; Merritt's Journal ; Royal Military Chronicle, 1813. 3. Que- 
bec Mercury ; Ducharme, Narrative. 

i 



oo 



rt'inaincd pent up within tin- limits of :i tew acres by a force of less 
than half its nunihors. Nij^ht after nifrht their. sentries and outposts 
were stiirtltKl by fci^Mied attacivs, wliicli l<ept the entire camp in a 
ft'verisli c\>ndition of alarm, and subjected otlicers and men to exces- 
sive fatigue. l>urini,' the hottest months of the year one-third of the 
division was prostrated by disease, and though the hospital was re- 
moved to Lowist<uj.tlie proportion of deaths became frightfully large. 
Altliough repeatedly reinforced. their mimbers constantly diminished, 
and (hi-y were constrained Ut relinquish active operations entirely 
until the storms of autumn rendered them ditticult and hazardous. 
The chief medical oilieer of the Tnlted .states Army, then attached to 
If) (Jen. hearlxirn's division, was forcecl tomaketliis frank admission : 
" Wlien an enemy e,\liil)its great military ability we are di.sposed to 
allow liiiu all the credit due him, even when by artful deceptions and 
judicious management with a force inferior, he was enabled to 
apparently check (tur army, and a)mpel it to place itself in a position 
entirely defensive."' 

The etTect produced by Hoerstler's defeat, in Washington, was 
<juite as remarkable. Congress was sitting when information of the 
surrender arrived. Mr. Ingersoll, one of the leaders of the dominant 
party in the House of Ivepresentatives, stated that it was regarded as 
forming "the climax to wtntinual tidings of inismanagementand mis- 
fortune. ( )ii tlie (ith of .Inly, therefore, after a short accidental com- 
munion of regret and imitatience in the lol)by witli the speaker, 
(Henry Clays and (Jeneral Kinggold, of Maryland, I was deputed a 
volunteer to wait on the President, and re<iuest (^icneral Dearborn's 
removal fn>m a command which so far had i)roved so unfortunate." 
Consequently a despatch was framed tiie same day, instructing Gen. 
l)earlK)rn to retire from tlie command ' until his health should be 
r<--est:il)!isiicd." and his immediate successor, Crcneral Boyd, was 
prohiiiiU'd fi-om atU-mpting any olTensive operations until their 
H4|uadnin regained wmtrol of the lake. 

Two of the i)rincipal actors in these events, James FitzGibbon 
.infl Laiini .'Record, attained an extreme old age. 

I'it/fJiblxtti resided in Canada for more tiian forty years, became 
.-iHsisUuit adJuUmt-general (»f militia, and t(M)k an active part in the 
HU|»iir.Hsion ((f tlie rel»ellioii of |s:{7. Some vears after he was 
riomln:(i.-da .Military Knight of Windsor.* where he was still livini"- 
in I- In- agi- of ci^'ht v-tlve. " 

•^J ' id died ill istis, at the advanced age of !),!. and is buried in 

• gniveyard at l>rummoii(l 11 ill. on the liattle-lield of Lundy's 
••-. Il Is to Im' hoped that not many ve.irs will he allowed to pass 
. vrv her linal resting place is marked by a littting memorial 
"I ■ ^ inu lirav.-st and most loyal of Canadian women. 

'. .ff.m II I'. iilK.tii; M.inn, M.diral sketches of the ^v.^r 

■ Ik- (.att.i 111 m7;irli,i|),.l toSt. CleoiRf^ was built at 

•""' ^'!'K l-'lwiO'l III. iii.-xic a foundation at the chapel 

' iil.rii vicirs iinil also of tw..nl)-six veteran knights, who 

• 'a "••ivc lu»\ continually in prayer. M. Cruighton— 



t 



23 

APPENDIX 

NO. I. 

Mrs. Secord's narrative, cited by Mr. Aucliinleck in 1853, is as 
follows : "It was while the Americans had possession of the frontier 
that I learned the plans of the American commander, and determined 
to put the British troops under E'itzGibbon in possession of them, 
and, it possible, to save the British troops from capture, or perhaps 
total destruction. In doing so, 1 found 1 should have great difficulty 
in getting through the American guards, which were out ten miles 
in the country. Determined to persevere, however, I left early in the 
morning, walked nineteen miles in the month of June over a rough 
and dirticuit part of the country, when I came to a field belonging to 
a Mr. Decamp, in the neighborhood of the Beaver Dam. By this 
time daylight had left me. Here I found all the Indians encamped ; 
by moonlight the scene was terrifying, and to those accustomed to 
such scenes might be considered grand. Upon advancing to the 
Indians, they all arose, and with some yells, said " Woman," which 
made me tremble. I cannot express the awful feeling it gave me ; 
but I did not lose my presence of mind. I was determined to per- 
severe. 1 went up to one of the chiefs, made him understand that I 
had great news for Capt. FitzGibbon, and that he must let me 
pass his camp, or that he and his party would be all taken. The 
chief at first objected to let me pass, but finally consented, after some 
hesitation, to go with me and accompany me to FitzGibbon'sstation, 
which was at the Beaver Dam, when I had an interview with him. 
I then told him what I had come for, and what I had heard— that 
the Americans intended an attack upon the troops under his com- 
mand, and would, from their superior numbers, capture them all. 
Benefiting by this information, Capt. FitzGibbon formed his plans 
accordingly, and captured about five hundred American infantry, 
about fifty dragoons, and a fieldpiece or two was taken from the 
enemy. I returned home next day exhausted and fatigued. I am 
now advanced in years, and when I look back I wonder how I could 
have gone through so mucli fatigue with the fortitude to accom- 
plish it." 

NO. II. 

CERTIFICATE OF LIEUT. FITZGIBBON. 

"I do hereby certify that Mrs. Secord, the wife of James Secord, 
Esq., of Chippawa, did, in the month of June, 1813, walk from her 
house, in the village of St. David's, to Decamp's house, in Thorold, 
a circuitous route of about twelve miles, partly through the woods, to 
acquaint me that the enemy intended to attempt by surprise to 
capture a detachment of the 49th regiment, then under my command, 
she having obtained such knowledge from good authority, as the 



24 

«'vent pmvcd. M in. Second was a person of slight and delicate frame, 
and made the effort In wcatlier excessively warm, and 1 dreaded at 
Uie time that she nmst sutTor in health in consequence of fatigue 
and anxiety, slieliaving been exposed to danger from the enemy, 
ihn.ugli wiiose line of c/>mnmnication she had to pass. The attempts 
was made on my detaclnnent by the enemy, and his detachment, 
consisting of '.(M) men. witli a field piece and tifty dragoons, were 
captured in conse«iuence. 1 write this certificate in a moment of 
much hurry and from memory, and it is therefore thus brief. 

"(Sig'd) .Tames Fit/Gibhon. 

"Formerly Lieutenant in 4S)th Regiment." 

NO. III. 

Mr. Lossing in his Field-book of tlie war of 1812, quotes on page 
«21. the ftilliiwingextract of a letter fnmi Mrs. Record: 

" After going to St. Davids, and the recovery of Mr. Secord, we 
returned again to gueenston, when my courage again was much tried. 
It wa.s there I gained the .secret plan laid to capture Captain Fitz- 
(Jit)l»<^)n and his jtarty. I was determined, if possible, to save them. I 
liad nmch ditllculty in getting tlirough the American guards. They 
were ten miles out in the wuntry. When I came to a field belonging 
tr> a Mr. I>e Cou. in the neigh lK)rhood of the Beaver Dams, I then had 
walked ninet4'en miles. ]\y tli.it time daylight had left me. I yet 
iiad a swift streatintf water (Twelve Mile Creek) to cross over on an 
old fallen tree, and toclimba high hill, which fatigued me very much. 

" lU'fore 1 arrived at the encampment of the Indians, as I ap- 

prmichrd they all rose with one of their war yells, which, indeed, 

;i\M(l inc. \i>yi may imagine what my feelings were to behold so 

many Hnvagen. With forced courage I went to one of the chiefs, told 

him I had great ih'ws for his comniaiKler, and that he must take me 

U> him or they would be all lost, lie did notunderstand me, but said 

'Woman: Wiiat dttes woman want here?' The scene by moonlight 

to wmie might have licen grand, but to a weak woman certainly 

t«Trl(yiiig. Willi diniciilty I g<tt one of the chiefs to go with me to 

Ihelr commandiT. With ilie intelligence 1 gave him he formed his 

plariH :ind navcd his country. I have ever found the brave and noble 

(Viloiiel Kit/(ilbhon a friend to nie. Maybe prosper in the world to 

coMH* iu« he \y,in done in this. 

" Lauiia Secoki). 
•'Liili'i-AWA, I.e., Feb. IH, ISfil." 

NO. IV. 
ARTICLES OF CAPITULATION. 

" Partlr.uli.n* of the capitulation made l)etwecn Captain Mc- 

" on the part of Lieutenant-Colonel Hoe is tier, of the United 

Anny. and Maj(.r De llaicn. of his Britannic Ma.jesty's 



Canadian Regiment, on the part of Lieutenant-Colonel Bisshop, 
coiiunanding tlie advance of the British, respecting the forces under 
the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Boerstler: 

"Article 1.— That Lieutenant-Colonel Boerstler and the forces 
under his command shall surrender prisoners of war. 

" Article 2. — That the officers shall retain their arras, horses and 
baggage. 

" Article 3. — That the non-commissioned officers and soldiers 
shall lay down their arms at the head of the British column, and 
shall become prisoners of war. 

" Article 4. — Tliat the militia and volunteers with Lieutenant 

Colonel Boerstler shall be permitted to return to the United States 

on parole. 

"Andrew McDoavell, 

" Captain of the United States Light Artillery. 

"C. G. Boerstler," 



LIEUT.-COL. WM. CLAUS TO LIEUT. COL. BISSHOP. 

"Louth, June 24th, 1813. 
"I put under cover a letter received fromCapt. Kerr, giving an 
account of an action this morning between a party of the Six Nations, 
the Seven Nations of Canada and some of the Lake Indians, consist- 
ing of about 450 chiefs and warriors, and a detachment of the Ameri- 
can army under Col. Bustler, with two field guns. It is with pride I 
mention that, notwithstanding the severe loss the Indians have met 
with in the death of five of the principal chiefs and warriors and up- 
wards of twenty wounded, several prisoners were taken in the woods 
and brought in without the least injury to one of them. The num- 
ber of killed and wounded is not ascertained; we know of the above 
only at present." 

LIEUT. FITZGIBBON TO MAJOR DE HAREN. 

"Township of Louth, 24th June, 1813. 
"Sir,— At De Cou's this morning, about 7 o'clock, I received in- 
formation that about 1,000 of the enemy, with two field guns, were 
advancing towards me from St. Davids. I soon after heard a firing 
of cannon and musketry, and in consequence rode in advance about 
two miles on the St. Davids' road. I observed, by the tiring, that the 
enemy was moving for the road on the mountain. I sent Cornet 
McKenney to order out my detachment of the 49th, consisting of a 
subaltern and 46 rank and file, and close upon the enemy to recon- 
noitre. I discovered him upon the mountain road, and took a position 
on an eminence to the right of it. My men arrived and pushed on in 
liis front to cut off his retreat, under a fire from his guns, which, 
however, did no execution. After examining his position, I found it 



26 

difflcult to approach liirti, there being no wood in the front or in tht 
tlank to cover the Indians, and liis force, apparently GOO, I could not 
approach. 1 was liere informed that he expected reinforcements,: 
I therefore decided upon summoning him to surrender. After the 
exchange of several propositions between Lieut. Colonel Boerstler and 
myself, in the name of Lieut. Colonel De Haren, Lieut. Colonel 
Hoerstler agreed to surrender on the conditions stated in the articles 
of capitulation. On my return to my men to send an officer to super- 
intend the details of the capitulation, you arrived." 

LIEUT. COL. BISSHOP TO COL. VINCENT. 

"Beaver Dams, 24th June, 1813. 

"Sir,— I have the honor to inform you that the troops you have^ 
done me the honor to place under my command, have succeeded in 
taking prisoners a detachment of the United States Army, under 
Lieut. Col. Boerstler. 

"In tills affair the Indians, under Capt. Kerr, were the onlyforce 
actively engaged; to them great merit is due, and I feel particularly 
obliged for their gallant conduct on this occasion. On the appearance 
of the detachment of the 49tii, under Lieut. Col. FitzGibbon, and the 
light company of the 8th, or King's regiment, and the two flank 
companies of the 104th, under Major De Haren, and the Provincial 
Cavalry, underCaptain Hall, the whole surrendered to His Majesty's 
troops. To the conduct of Lieut. FitzGibbon, through whose address 
the capitulation was entered, may be attributed the surrender of the 
American troops. 

"To Major De Haren, for his speedy movement to the point of 
attack, and execution of the arrangements I had previously made 
with him, I am much obliged. 

"I have tlie honor to enclose tlie capitulation entered into between 
Col. Muerstler and myself, and a return of the prisoners, exclusive of 
the wounded, notyet JLscertained. I lost no time in forwarding my 
stalT-adjutant, Lieut. Haniard, to you with this intelligence. He 
has been particularly activt.' and useful to me upon all occasions. I 
take tills opportunity of mentioning him to you, and I beg the favor 
of you to recommend him to Sir CJeorge Prevost, as an active and 
meritorious young man." 

SIR OEOROE PREVOSTTO LORD BATHURST. 

"KiNusTON, :?rd July, 1813. 
"The details of this gallant action, which reflects so much credit 
on our Indian allies, as well as upon Lieut. FitzGibbon, for the 
pn)mptness ami derision with which he availed himself of the im- 
pression tlu^ir attack maile u|)on (he enemy, will be read by your 
Lordship with satlsfacticui, and afford a decisive proof of the want of 



27 

perseverance in the American Army. In their retreat from Forty 
Mile Creels:, almost the whole of their camp equipage, together with 
I quantity of stores, fell into our hands. General Dearborn has 
withdrawn his troops from Fort Erie, and is concentrating his forces 
at Fort George. Col. Vincent has advanced to support the Light 
1 iifantry and Indian warriors, who are employed in circumscribing 
the enemy, to compel them to make use of their own resources for 
the maintenance of their army." 

INDIANS KILLED. 

" Little Chief, a Delaware ; one Chippewa Chief from La Cladu ; 
Deyahokethe, Aheatagea, war chiefs of the Caughnawagas ; Dekya- 
teaghnawea, Nippissing Chief; Kaneuyatiran, Anajareghtha, St. 
Regis warriors, killed the 24th June at the Beechwoods, on the 
mountain by Millers; Shogohiornegstha, a fine boy, lost an arm." 

— Col. Glmis^s Mss. Letter Book. 

COLONEL BOERSTLER TO HIS FATHER. 

"Head of Lake Ontario, ) 

"Upper Canada, >- 

"25th June, 181.3. ) 

"Dear Father, — It becomes my unfortunate lot to inform you 
bhat yesterday I was taken prisoner, with a detachment under my 
jommand amounting to 500 men, after an engagement of about three 
hours. I lost not many killed, about 40 wounded, and five or six 
officers, myself a flesh wound, of no consequence. I am on my way to 
Kingston. I shall write you every opportunity. The officers under 
iiy command must say whether your son did his duty. I need only 
<tate to you that I was 17 miles from Fort George, and surrounded 
>ii all sides by more than my numbers, and the enemy's force in- 
■ leasing, while mine was constantly diminishing, ammunition nearly 
'xhausted, men wearied with a march of ten miles without a mouth- 
ul of refreshments, then the engagement, then to fight our way 
jack, the whole distance, surrounded by woods filled by Indians. On 
,he score of humanity I determined to capitulate, as it was extremely 
loubtful whether a man of us would reach Fort George. What I say 
il)Ove will be sufficient for you. My country must apply to those 
iiider my command. 

"Your son, Charles. 

"Col. Scott will please seal and forward the above. 

"Dear Sir, — I pray you to believe your son is not condemned for 
it'ing unfortunate." 

"Respectfully sir, your obedient servant, 

"W. Scott." 



28 
general dearborn to the secretary of war. 

"IIeadquakteus. Fort George, | 
"June 25th, 1813. i 

"Sir,— I liavo the mortilicationof itifonningyou of anunfortunati 
and uiKiccountable event which occurred yesterday. Ou the 23rd, a 
cvenini;, LieuU'nant Colonel lioerstler, with 570 men, infantry 
artillery, cavalry, and rillenien in due proportion, was ordered t( 
niarrh, by way (»f (.^uccnston. U) a place called the Reaver Dams, oi 
the lii^li ttmuiid alMiut eij;ht or nine miles from Queenston, to attach 
and disperse a body of the enemy collected there for the purpose o1 
pnK'urin^' pn>visi(»ns and hanissint,' those inhabitants who are con- 
sidered friendly to the I'nited States; their force was, from the most 
direct inforniatictn, composed of one company of the l()4th regiment. 
about HO strontf, fmm 150 to 200 militia, and from 50 to 60 Indians. 
Atei^'ht o"cl(K'k yesterday morning, when within two miles of the 
Beaver I)ams, our detachment was attacked from an ambuscade, but 
soon drove the enemy some distance into the woods, and then retired 
into a clear Held and sent an express for reinforcement, saying he 
would niaintiiin liis position until reinforced. A reinforcement of 
Uirce liundR'd men marched innnediately, under the command of 
Colonel Chrystle, but on arriving at Qucenston, Colonel Chrystle 
received authentic information that Lieutenant Colonel Boerstler, 
with his eominand, had surrendered t-o the enemy, and the reinforce- 
MRMits returned l^t eanip. A man who belonged to a small corps of 
nir)unt<*d volunteer rillenien, cjime in this morning, who states that 
the enemy surn)un(led our detachment in the woods, and towards 
12 o'cl(»ck winimeneed a general attack ; that our troops fought more 
than two hours, until the artillery had expended the whole of its 
ainninnltlon, and then surrendered, and at the time of the surrender 
the Informant made his escape. AVhy it should have been deemed 
prr.per Ui remain several hours in a position surrounded with woods 
without either risking a decisive action or elfecting a retreat remains 
U. \>f iicc/)unted for, as well us the project of waiting for a rcinforce- 
uient fmin a distance of (irt4>en or sixteen miles. 

".No Information hits Immmi rea-ived of the killed and wounded. 
The ciiemy'M Meet hits apiin arrived in our neiglil>orhood. 

" WItli n'tiM'ct and esu-em, I am, Sir, 

"Your humble servant, 

"II. l)KAun()i:N." 
REPORT OF COURT OF INQUIRY. 

"IUltimore, nth February, 1815. 

••Tlic court met pursuant to adjournment. 

"The court having heard and considered the testimony adduced 
in thUr;u«.. have the hom.r t<. re,M,rt to the Honorable, the Secre- 
tary of Uar. the followimr '.t,,ii.<'iii.i,( ..r facts: 



tt 



!ate 

at; 
:'7, 

to 
on' 
civ 
of 



29 

"That on the 23d day of June, 1813, a detachment of the army of 
jhe U. S., stationed at Fort George, in Upper Canada, was ordered 
lO proceed against an advanced post of the enemy at DeCoo's stone 
louse. That a detail of 575 men in proportions of infantry, artillery, 
Jragoons and riflemen, accompanied by a party of mounted gun-men, 
mder Captain Chapin, were ordered for the expedition, and that 
Lieut.-Colonel Charles G. Boerstler, of the 14th Infantry, was selected 
or the command ; the riflemen were not furnished, according to the 
3etail, and the expedition proceeded without them. 

"The infantry carried in their boxes thirty-two rounds of musket- 
ball cartridges, and the ammunition wagon contained a reserve of 
5,000 or 6,000 rounds. 

"The artillery, two Held pieces, was well supplied with fixed am- 
munition of round and canister shot. 

"The expedition was accompanied by two four-horse wagons, car- 
rying the ammunition and provisions without entrenching tools, and 
was not followed by any detachment, on which it could fall back in 
the event of disaster, it was ordered to march upon the Queenston 
and St. David's road, and to return upon the same route. 

"No copy of the commanding general's order now remains. The 
book in which it was entered, and the original, have both been lost 
through the casualties of war, but the object of the expedition is 
proved to have been 'to batter down De Coo's stone house, said to 
be fortified and garrisoned by a company of regulars and 60 or 100 
Indians, and capture or dislodge the enemy stationed there.' 

"On the same day, that is on the 23rd June, 1813, the piquets of 
American army covered ground to the extent of two miles in front of 
Fort George, and no more. 

"And the advanced posts of the enemy then in numbers, were ; 

"1. At St. Catliarines, on the lake road, nine and a half miles from 
Fort George, and deemed the strongest. Lieut. Colonel De Haren, 
commanding. 

"2. At Twenty Mile Creek, sixteen and a half miles from Fort 
George, Lieut. Colonel Bisshop, commanding. 

'3. At De Coo's stone house, seventeen and a half miles from Fort 
George via Queenston, and sixteen via St. Catharines, Lieutenant 
FitzGibbon commanding ; and in advance of this post, and one and a 
half miles from it and near a road leading to it, a camp of 450 or 500 
Indians, of which nothing had been known. 

' 'A plan of the ground is submitted to show the relative position 
of these posts ; how they supported each other, at a distance of six or 
seven miles, lying in the form of a triangle, and the point to be 
attacked, the most distant of the three. 

"The intermediate country between the two armies was, in 
general, covered with thick wood. 



"No force was sent out to amuse or divert Lieut. Colonels Do 
Ifaren and Hisshop wliile the post at De Coo's should be attacked. A 
siiiiullatit'dus iiKivt-iiu'iit had been planned apainst St. Catharines 
(Lieut. Colonel De Ilarcn), but was not executed. 

"The expedition under Lieut.-Colonel lioerstler appears to have 
br.Mi founded upon iiiff)rniation derived from Captain Chapin. His 
inforiuatioti is pnived to liave lu-L-n crroiii'ous. 

"The >f»ide furnished to conduct tiie expedition was the same 
Captain Cliapin and at nine or ten miles from Fort George, he was, 
or appean-d to be, it;norant of tlic roads. Lieut.-Colonel Boerstler 
t4H>k an iiilialjitant of tlie onintry and compelled him to become the 
^.'uide. 

"The detacliment was ordered to lay at Queenston on the night of 
the 2:{rd and march early tiie next morning. It did so, laying upon 
Its arms in silence without liglits atid having taken precautions to 
avoid surprise and from preventing tlie country people from carrying 
intv Hi genre to the enemy. 

"On the march, advance and rear guards, with flankers from each 
side were k«'pt consUmtly out. Captain Chapin's mounted men 
fonned the advanced guards and freipiently pushed out patrols in 
M*arrh of diM-overies. 

"lU'tween eiglit and nine o'clock on the morning of the 24th ata 
place called the B«'aver Dams, a mile ami a lialt in advance of De 
Coo'h. the enemy's Indians were first discovered issuing from the 
wfKKl'i in rear of tlie detacliment and moving across the road upon 
whieh it liad man'hed. Tiie action commenced immediately and the 
roiunin »|ulckly forming into two lines fouglit at the same time to 
the front and n-ar. Lieut -Colonel Boeistler was at the head of the 
♦ir-t and Major Taylor at tlii' liead of the second. 

The iiction continued upwards of three hours. The American 
troopx contended with a superior force of Indians, British regulars 
and I*n»vlnrlaN. S<'v«'ral changes of position, rendered necessary by 
clrriiiiiHtaeic<-*, liad l»e<'n executed in an orderly and military manner 
and cfery ofllcer v/hs Ht the head of his c/)mmand and every company 
did ItH duty, a majority of the mounted gunmen and their com- 
mander excepted. 

"Hut the ammunition had been nearly exhasuted, all the boxes had 
been cihauHU'd of their can ridges, replenished from the wagon and 
acrnln nearly r-xhausted: the wagon itself was emptied, or nearly 
"■ »>- artillery h.id but two or three rounds of canister and a small 
' of round Khot remaining. The heat of tlie day was oppressive 
and iho men oxhauHU-d with the length of the action and the march 
In I' 'Ing. 

iy(»r elglity of the detachment were killed or wounded, 
Llem.-C'oloncl iVxTHtler, Captain Machcsney, Captain Cummings i 
and Lieutenants Marshall and Randall were among the latter. 



31 

"About noon Lieut. -Colonel De Haren arrived from 8t. Catharines 
and brought with him 120 infantry, 25 or 30 dragoons, and some Pro- 
vincials. 

"The enemy occupied in force the road upon which the detach- 
ment had marched. Lieut. -Colonel Boerstler collected the effectives 
of his command, formed them into column and gave in person his 
orders and the explanation of his object, ' to clear the road by a 
charge and retreat to Fort George.' His force under arms was di- 
minished by one third, not altogether by death and wounds but 
partly by the various causes which conspire to thin the ranks of all 
troops during an engagement. All the wounded were brought to the 
centre of the column and there were but two wagons to receive them. 

"When the column was ready to be put in motion, a British oflficer 
advanced and demanded its surrender. The demand was instantly 
and decisively rejected by Colonel Boerstler; the officer retired and 
presently returned with a renewal of the demand, stating the great 
superiority of force, and proposing that an American officer be sent 
to view them. Lieutenant Kearney, of the 14th Infantry, was 
accordingly sent, but a senior officer having come upon the ground, 
refused to permit the examination, but renewed the demand for a 
surrender. It was added that the American wounded could then be 
protected, but if the action recommenced, they (the British officers) 
could not be responsible for the conduct of the Indians. 

"Lieut. -Colonel Boerstler referred to the officers about him for 
their opinion. They decided to surrender if honorable terms could 
be had, and the detachment was accordingly surrendered, prisoners 
of war, the officers retaining their horses, arms and baggage. 

"The. force of the enemy at the timeof the surrender amounted 
to 700 or 800 men, comprising between 450 and 500 Indians, about 300 
regulars and Provincial infantry, 25 or 30 dragoons, and a small num- 
ber of fencibles, and exclusive of 250 Infantry following Lieut.- 
Colonel Bisshop from Twenty Mile Creek, and arrived near the 
ground at the close of the action. 

"And it does not appear, but the contrary is proved, (so far as a 
negative can be proved) that Lieut.-Colonel Boerstler sent any 
messenger to Fort George to demand reinforcements, and to say that 
he would maintain his ground till they arrived. 

"Whereupon the court respectfully submit to the Honorable, the 
Secretary of War. the following opinion : 

"That the march of the detachment from Fort George to the 
' Beaver Dams ' on the 23d and 24th June, 1813, under the command 
3f Lieut.-Colonel Boerstler, was made in an orderly, vigilant, and 
military manner. 

"That the personal deportment of Lieut.-Colonel Boerstler in the 
iction which followed, was that of a brave, zealous, and deliberate 



:J2 

offlivr, and the tvtnducl nt llie rejjulur otlicers and ineii under his 
connnand w;is equally hon(»ral)lc U) tiieiusolves and to their country. 

"That a retreat from the field after the force of the enemy had 
been a>irort.;iincd riiuld not be justitied on any military principle, and 
if atl^'iiipted in column, must have exposed the men to certain death 
in their nitiks, with very little means of resistance; if by (Jispersion, 
the Immediate mit^vsacre of the wounded and the slaughter in detail 
of a multitude of exhausted and tired fugitives, must have been the 
Inevitable conse<iuences. 

"That the surrender w;is justilied by existing circumstances, and 
that the misfortune of the day is not to be ascribed to Lieut. Colonel 
liocstler. or the detachment under his command. 

"And the Court is unanimous in the expression of this opinion 

and fon'goiiiff report of facts." 

"(S'gd) .James P. TuKsTON, 

"■('iiloml 23 fd IiiJ'anlry, President. 
"Attest: Lkwis H. Willis, 

"Coj)Nn« JJth Jufuntnj, /Recorder." 
EXTRACT FROM DEPOSITION OF MAJOR GEN LEWIS. 

"To the sixth and seventh interntgation, this deponent answers: 
That lie wiLs fre<|uently pressed to send a detachment to the vicinity 
(»f the Ii<-aver Dams, during tlie latter days of liis command at Fort 
GoorKP. which he always resisted, because the position and means of 
the enemy enabled him to reinfort^e with the greater facility than the 
Am«'rlcan army could. So strong were tlu'-se impressions on the 
mind of this de|M»nent, that when he (piitted that command he 
carneHily advhcd the gentleman on whom it devolved to resist the 
youthful, ardent spirits whicii would probably beset him on the sub- 
ject ; iiHHuring him that any detaehmi-nt sent on that service, unless 
very [Kiwerful. would pn)l)ably U- wicritiCed, and be, perhaps, thereby 
dItMMiiibled to Uike iK)SHessi()ii of the heights, when the necessary 
trHnniMirUtlon ciiuld Ik- furnished, which this deponent was of 
opinion ought to i>e done." 




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